Whatcom County birds to be tested for avian flu

ZOE FRALEY - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

E-Mail

Print Reprint

Text Size:

tool goes here

The discovery of the H5 avian influenza virus in turkeys just over the border has prompted state officials to step up testing on local birds.

The Washington State Department of Agriculture is asking 13 Whatcom County farms that regularly send in eggs for testing to send an additional batch to be tested for avian flu antibodies, said department communications director Jason Kelly.

"We're going to actively monitor eggs produced in Whatcom County," he said.

Washington state has never had a confirmed case of avian flu, and Kelly said he doesn't expect it to cross the border in this case. State veterinarians have been in contact with their counterparts in Canada as well as the U.S. Department of Agriculture to figure out the best plan to keep the state's poultry safe.

On Saturday, Jan. 24, avian influenza virus was confirmed on a commercial turkey farm in Abbotsford, B.C., and as many as 60,000 birds could be euthanized because of the disease.

"The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is moving quickly to contain the disease in Canada," Kelly said. "(British Columbia) has been though similar depopulation of poultry before, in April 2004, and that was a more widespread issue, but it never came across (the border)."

The virus doesn't affect food safety when it is killed by proper cooking and handling, Kelly said. It very rarely affects humans, unless they have been in close contact with infected birds.

The virus found Sunday in Abbotsford is a weak, low pathogenic strain, unlike the deadly H7N4 virus that killed or caused the destruction of 17 million birds in 2004.

Though this strain is not as strong, now is still the time for bird owners to be vigilant, Kelly said. They need to keep an eye out for symptoms of the virus in their birds, such as a drop in egg production, sneezing and other respiratory system problems. Bird owners should make sure to use proper sanitation, washing their hands and equipment and changing clothes after coming in contact with their birds.

"The message is that bird owners need to keep a close eye on their birds," he said. "And if they do see signs of illness in their birds, they need to report it to the state veterinary office."

Any bird owners who suspect their flock may be affected by the virus should call the state's avian hotline at 1 (800) 606-3056.